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If you have been to bowling league lately, you have probably noticed that it is next to impossible to walk around the bowling alley without tripping on the countless bowling bags lying around. This is because many bowlers these days are carrying around multiple bowling balls that all react differently. This is commonly called their arsenal, and with this article I will give you tips on how you can build the proper bowling ball arsenal.
The first ball I consider a must is a plastic spare ball. With this ball, the lane conditions will not dictate how you throw at spares. You will be able to throw at spares the same way no matter the pattern, thus increasing your spare percentage and increasing your average. Now of course there will still be spares with "sleepers" in there you may want to throw a hook ball at, but for the most part the plastic spare ball is very important.
Now that you have a spare ball, we move on to the hook ball. This is where this task gets tricky. Many people I know have a ball for light oil, a ball for medium oil, and a ball for long oil. Well this is a decent starting point, but not the best method. This does not take into consideration the volume of oil, only the length. If you bowl in multiple houses for leagues or tournaments, you will know there are more than three oil patterns out there. For this reason I think you should have at least four hook bowling balls. The first should be for shorter patterns with a light volume of oil. This means a weak bowling ball with a very polished surface. The second should be for short to medium patterns with a higher volume of oil. I would use a stronger reacting bowling ball, but with a sanded finish around 1500-2000 with very little polish. The next ball should be for medium to long patterns, which is a very aggressive ball drilled to go long and have a very angular reaction at the backend. The last ball should be the same, but with a different layout to have earlier roll and more overall hook.
The final step in building your arsenal is to remember that your arsenal will always need minor adjustments. Keeping your bowling balls clean and experimenting with your surfaces will give you a much better idea of your ball reaction, and what will work best for you to carry more strikes. To find out more on altering the surface of your bowling ball, I have added a link to an article below on how to do it. Good luck!
Bowling is a sport that has been around for thousands of years. It comes as no surprise that the equipment has changed. Even today, companies are making bowling balls that hook more, go longer down the lane, strike more, heck, they might one day throw themselves. Until that day, however, how do you choose the right bowling ball for yourself? Well here is your answer.
To open up, the first type of bowling ball is a plastic ball. This is a ball without a specific core, and the coverstock is plastic. I use a plastic ball for spares as they do not hook no matter the oil pattern you are bowling on, so you do not have to make adjustments to make spares. These type bowling balls are also great for beginners who do not know how to hook and their goal is to consistently hit the head pin.
Now, for more advanced bowlers, there are high performance bowling balls. These are balls that have a weight block, or core, that is shaped to cause the ball to hook. Furthermore, they have a more aggressive coverstock, like a pearl or reactive resin. These balls are designed to go far down the lane, and then hook into the head pin. This hook creates entry angle into the pocket and yields a higher percentage of strikes.
The problem with choosing a ball is knowing your characteristics, what pattern you typically bowl on, and what type of line do you want to play. Are you a full roller and stand use the whole lane throwing a big hook? Do you throw straight with a light hook? Are you somewhere in between? Fast? Slow? All these make a difference when making your choice. The best advice I can give you is to look online and find a ball that is designed for your type of game, and make sure you get it professionally drilled to suit your game.
If you have trouble picking a ball after doing your online research, visit a pro shop. You can explain your style shot, or the pro shop owner may know your game, and he can help you make a selection. Remember, although 99% of bowling is the skill of the bowler, having the right equipment in your hands can really help. Last time I checked, Tiger Woods does not use a wooden driver. If you are interest in what I consider the best bowling balls out there, check out Hammer's Official Website
Over the years I have thrown quite a few different bowling balls. If you have reached this page then you have probably asked yourself the following question: Who makes the best bowling balls? The answer to this question is simple, there is no right answer. Sure, if you come across a PBA sponsored bowler, he will tell you what he throws is the best. That may not mean that they are the right bowling balls for you. Everyone out there throws the bowling ball a little differently. Depending on your speed, revolutions, and the area of the lane you like to play, you may find you have the best luck with a bowling ball that I would never throw in a tournament. In any event, since you got here I might as well give you my opinion. I have had the most luck with Hammer bowling balls. They have great length, and incredible backend! They hit the pocket hard and I rarely have trouble carrying. That does not mean they are perfect and always strike, but I have had the best carry when I have a Hammer bowling ball in my hand. I have two sanctioned 300 games, and both were thrown with Hammer bowling balls.
